Evergreen trees typically cost $40-$1,500 each before planting, with many homeowners spending about $250-$700 for a tree and professional installation. Price depends mainly on tree size and species, delivery distance, site access, and whether planting, soil work, or removal is included.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tree, 3-4 ft | $40 | $85 | $160 | Small container-grown varieties |
| Tree, 6-8 ft | $150 | $300 | $600 | Common residential size |
| Tree, 10-12 ft | $400 | $850 | $1,500 | Often field-dug or delivered balled and burlapped |
| Professional planting | $100 | $225 | $500 | Per tree, excluding unusual site work |
What homeowners pay for an evergreen tree and planting
A typical 6-8-foot evergreen costs $150-$600 at a nursery. With delivery and standard professional planting, the total commonly reaches $300-$900 per tree. Smaller 3-4-foot trees may cost $140-$400 installed, while large specimens 10-12 feet tall can exceed $2,000 installed when equipment or difficult access is required.
For a standard-sized tree and straightforward planting, a practical budget is $300-$900 per tree. These estimates assume common nursery stock, normal soil, accessible planting locations, and no stump removal or major grading. Assumptions: typical U.S. suburban labor rates, standard nursery quality, normal access.
How tree, delivery, and planting charges build the quote
Quotes may combine the tree price with labor and delivery, or list each charge separately. The table shows common costs for one 6-8-foot tree; regional rates and species can shift the totals.
| Quote item | Typical price | Pricing basis | What changes it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursery tree | $150-$600 | Per tree | Height, species, root ball, stock grade |
| Planting labor | $100-$300 | Per tree | Digging, access, soil, crew size |
| Delivery | $50-$200 | Per order | Distance and minimum delivery charge |
| Staking and mulch | $25-$100 | Per tree | Materials and aftercare requested |
| Equipment or soil work | $75-$400 | Per job or tree | Rock, clay, compacted soil, tight access |
Labor is often estimated at $50-$100 per worker-hour, but contractors may quote a fixed planting charge instead. Ask whether delivery, soil amendments, staking, and cleanup are already included.
Tree height, species, and root-ball size change the price
Height is a major price driver because larger trees require more nursery labor, heavier transport, and a bigger planting hole. A 3-4-foot arborvitae may cost $40-$120, while a 6-8-foot specimen often runs $150-$400. A 10-12-foot spruce, pine, or fir can cost $500-$1,500 before installation.
Species and root condition also matter. Common arborvitae and juniper varieties are often less expensive than slow-growing or specialty firs. Container-grown trees can be easier to handle, while balled-and-burlapped trees with a root ball over 24 inches wide may need two or more workers. Compare both tree height and root-ball dimensions, not height alone.
Site conditions create additional differences. Rocky soil, steep slopes, buried utilities, or a narrow gate can add $75-$400 per tree for extra digging or equipment. Planting a 10-foot tree generally requires a larger hole and more handling than setting a 4-foot tree in an open yard.
Evergreen tree prices across urban and rural markets
Prices vary with nursery supply, transportation, and local labor. In high-cost metropolitan areas, installed tree quotes may run 15%-35% above national midrange estimates. Rural customers may pay less for labor but face a higher delivery charge when the nursery is far away.
Climate and availability matter as well. Cold-hardy spruce and fir varieties are widely stocked in northern states, while suitable heat- and drought-tolerant evergreens may cost more in hot, dry regions. Request a quote from a nursery near the planting site to account for local stock and delivery.
How crew size and planting access affect labor charges
A crew may plant a small container-grown evergreen in about 1-2 hours, while a 6-8-foot tree often takes 2-3 hours, including placement and cleanup. A large balled-and-burlapped specimen may take a three-person crew 3-5 hours, especially if a machine is needed to move the root ball.
Contractors may charge a minimum visit fee of $100-$250 even when planting just one small tree. Planting several trees at the same property can reduce the average labor and delivery charge per tree. Confirm whether the quote includes hauling away packaging and leftover soil.
Three installed evergreen quotes at different sizes
These examples show how size and work scope affect a realistic installed estimate. Actual quotes depend on local labor rates, nursery inventory, and access.
| Example | Tree and unit price | Labor and extras | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small yard tree | 4-ft juniper, $75 | 1.5 hours, delivery and mulch: $180 | $255 |
| Privacy screen | Six 6-ft arborvitae, $210 each | 12 crew-hours, delivery and mulch: $1,050 | $2,310 |
| Large focal tree | 10-ft spruce, $850 | 3-person crew, equipment and delivery: $800 | $1,650 |
The privacy-screen example works out to about $385 per tree installed. A shared delivery and setup charge can make multiple-tree projects less expensive per unit than separate orders.
Where to trim an evergreen planting budget safely
Choosing a 4-6-foot tree instead of a 10-foot specimen can reduce the purchase price by several hundred dollars, and smaller trees may establish well when watered and cared for. Compare installed quotes using the same species, height, root type, delivery distance, and included services.
Planting during a nursery’s less-busy period may improve stock availability or scheduling, but seasonal discounts are not guaranteed. Avoid paying for unnecessary equipment, elaborate staking, or soil amendments without a site-specific reason. Keep the planting scope consistent so a low quote is not simply missing delivery or cleanup.